"Hi all,
I couldn’t have been selected to win the listserve at a less opportune moment. Three months ago, a year ago, or even a year from now I think I would have had many charming, insightful things to send to the many of you who enjoy reading these e-mails everyday.
I’m in a very transitional place in my life: I’ve graduated from law school and taken the bar exam, of which I am awaiting the results. I am currently unemployed and waiting until I have passed the bar exam to apply for the one job I really want—to be a trademark examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. I am currently homeless, living in cheap hotels, Airbnbs, and upon the generosity of friends and family until I find a permanent home in Washington, D.C. The person I love may need to move to the other side of the world so he can pursue his career goals, so my romantic life feels in transition too.
My future feels very uncertain, and the more time I live in all my uncertainties the less confident I feel about the choices I have made. This is a new feeling for me, being uncertain, especially about the big things in my life, and I don’t like the feeling at all.
So, instead of platitudes, and cheesy life lessons that I’m not qualified to give, here are some things that have make me happy, maybe they will make you happy too!
Books: The Floating Opera, Kitchens of the Great Midwest, Garlic and Sapphires, Harry Potter (the audiobooks are my equivalent of drinking a glass of wine and taking a bath, the effect is that calming)
Television: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Friday Night Lights, The West Wing, Parks and Recreation, Veronica Mars, Top Chef, X-Files, the Office
Music: When I was younger I kept up with music ambitiously, but as I get older I only really like listening to music when I’m sad. So, I’ve been listening to a LOT of Amy Winehouse recently. This will not make you happy….so maybe…Devo?
Podcasts: Podcasts are great because you can listen to them while going on a walk or while cooking or driving. Some of the ones that make me happy are Reply All, You Must Remember This, Mystery Show, How to Be Amazing with Michael Ian Black, The Memory Palace, TANIS and The Black Tapes, This American Life, and most recently, Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
If you’re an American, please vote in November!
Also, if you are new to DC or thinking of moving to DC—feel free to email me at [email protected]. I love helping people fall in love with this city.
Best,
T.S.
T.S.
Washington, D.C.
[email protected]